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I'm really looking forward to it - am gunning for my first sub 4 and researching training plans that target this. Am tantalisingly close at the moment with 4.09 current PB although I knew in my heart I could have done better than that - one of those races where things just don't seem to come together. Especially looking forward to the fact that for the first time ever, I can sleep in my own bed and make my own tea the night before a marathon instead of hotels and restaurants and no travel! Plus loads of support from family and friends which i hope will give me the extra push i need on the day. Intend to use as much of the actual route as I can in my long training runs - especially the hill at mile 18.

I entered the marathon on Friday! I am a local - live in Poole and the route goes past the door of our beach hut twice so thought it needed to be tackled. I know a few of my running club buddies ran it in its inaugural year in 2013 and they all seemed to enjoy it. It's essentially a flat course with just the two hills - general consensus is that if you power-walk up them, they're short enough that it won't damage your time too much.

As previously said, weather can make a massive difference to the route - the first year it was beautiful sunshine and relatively warm for an October weekend, however if it's windy/rainy, many miles along the prom are not enjoyable - trust me, I know!

Looking forward to it though. I did Paris two weeks ago and was really disappointed with my time - had been targeting my first sub 4 and training went really well but on the day it was hot and I came down with a hideous cold/sore throat that evening so the two things sapped my energy and I can in at 4.09. Signed up for Bournemouth to have another crack at it!

While I enjoyed Paris and thought the route was beautiful, I also found that my first experience of a big city marathon left me with the distinct impression that I wouldn't be hurrying back to repeat the experience. I've previously done Rome (c12k runners) and Manchester (c6k runners) and enjoyed both of these much more than Paris. I felt like I was constantly being elbowed, tripped up or almost running into the back of people pretty much the whole way round. I think I ended up running well over the distance after allowing for all the weaving around people. Like you, Les Murmeres, I was getting increasingly annoyed with the walkers in the wood sections strolling down the middle of the path. Even at the finish straight, I was still being jostled around. It was definitely worth the experience and I've learned something from it (as well as just about managing a teeny tiny new PB of 4.09 - which is a whole 1 minute PB!). While I like a certain amount of runners around me for support etc, the sheer volume in Paris overwhelmed me slightly.

I have found myself googling the Seville Marathon this morning. It's the one I wanted to do this year but the training period didn't match well with various family commitments I had planned for the end of last year. I think it's more in line with Rome in terms of runners (13k?) and being held in February it should be cooler than last Sunday! Also claims to be the flattest in Europe (which I thought was Berlin?) and looks pretty picturesque. Anyone done this one before?

Wow - that was the most mental and exhausting day ever - don't people know I'm supposed to be resting for a marathon ! Finally stopped running around like the proverbial blue ar*ed fly and now packing - eek! So far I've got my convocation, medical certificate, trainers, bag of porridge oats and a pack of cereal bars - sorted.

Off first thing tomorrow - train from Poole to big bad London then 14.01 Eurostar. Hoping to be able to squeeze in a flying visit to the expo when we arrive tomorrow - due in at Gare du Nord at 17.26 so should be ok to swing by apartment to dump bags and out again I think. Rather rush around tomorrow and get it done so I can chill on Saturday with the family otherwise I can see us losing our only sight seeing day standing in a queue at the expo!

Still not got a plan for Saturday - think we may end up just generally mooching around seeing the sights and then a boat trip in the afternoon to save the legs.

Really want a glass of wine after the crazy day I've just had but I always try to be good and have a dry week leading up to the big one - let my body dry out a bit and rehydrate ...

Massive good luck hugs to everyone with travel disruption. Fingers crossed we all make it there in one piece and with minimal stress.

Last run done last night - spending today frantically finishing off work and packing and running round town from one end to the other doing various errands and then off first thing in the morning to London to catch the Eurostar. It's my hubby's birthday tomorrow so he's effectively given up his day to travel to Paris! Aiming to arrive in Paris Gare du Nord at 5.30pm and then whizz straight across to the salon du running to collect my bib so we have the whole of Saturday free. Still not decided where to go for the day - will likely end up mooching about, wandering and generally seeing the sights. Might hop on a river cruise later in the day.

Getting more excited now than nervous - was aiming for sub 4hrs initially but now just planning on enjoying it. Only done relatively small marathons before in terms of participants (Rome and Manchester) so no idea what to expect running in that volume of people.